As OAP’s set to rise to 1 in 4 of Chelmsford’s population by 2037 – Where are they all going to live?

With constant advances in technology, medicine and lifestyles, people in the Chelmsford area are, on average, living longer than they might have a few decades ago. As Chelmsford’s population ages, the problem of how the older generation are accommodated is starting to emerge. We, as a city,have to consider how we supply decent and appropriate accommodation for Chelmsford’s growing older generation’s accommodation needs while still offering a lifestyle that is both modern and desirable.

In 1997 in Chelmsford, around one in every seven people (14%)
were aged 65 years and over (and the local authority area as a whole),
increasing to nearly one in every five people (19%) in 2017 and it is projected
to reach around one in every four people (24%) by 2037, meaning..

Over the next 19
years, the growth of the over 65 population in Chelmsford will grow by 26.3% – a
lot more than the overall growth population of Chelmsford of 10.6% over the
same time frame.

In fact, the number of those over 90 is expected to more than double in our local authority from 1,617 (0.9%) in 2017 to 3,907 (2.0%) by 2037.

And looking at the proportional percentage changes over those years..

Looking at Chelmsford and the local authority as a whole, there is a distinct under supply of bungalows and retirement living(i.e. sheltered) accommodation. The majority of sheltered accommodation fit for retirement is in the ex-local authority sector whilst the majority of private sector bungalows were built in the 1960s/70s/80s and are beginning to show their age (although that means there is often an opportunity for Chelmsford investors and Chelmsford buy to let landlords to buy a tired bungalow, do it up and flip it/rent it out).

In the medium to longer term, we need to build
more bungalows and sheltered accommodation and, if we do that, that won’t only be
of benefit to the elderly population of Chelmsford – it will have a direct
knock-on effect to the younger and middle-aged population by unlocking those
family homes the older generation homeowners live in.

There have been 17 Housing Ministers since
1997. No one ever seems to stay in the job long enough to create a consensus
and direction in Government Policy on the vital issue of the country’s housing
shortage, yet the sound bites and White Papers seem only to focus exclusively
on first-time buyers when there is an even more severe and disregarded shortage
in suitable housing for the older generation.

This
scantiness affects both mature homeowners trapped in unsuitably big family
properties, unable to find smaller bungalows or suitable retirement apartments,
whilst the waiting list for Council sheltered accommodation is putting a strain
on other aspects of social care. In both circumstances, policy coming (or not
coming) out of Government is repressing the supply and type of accommodation mature
people desire, need and want, whilst at the same time, increasing the cost (and
taxes) for social and NHS care.

Maybe we need tax breaks for people to downsize or planning permissions that stipulate bungalows only. Whichever way you look .. there are challenging times ahead for us all.

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Welcome

This blog follows the buy-to-let market in Chelmsford. You'll find tips, guidance, and analysis that relates specifically to Chelmsford and you'll also find properties from all the estate agents in the town on here that may make decent investments. I operate Martin and Co in Chelmsford and if you're thinking of buying a property to let in Chelmsford, I'm happy to offer a second opinion.

Meet the Author

Stephen Frost
Hi, and thank you for visiting this blog. I have been in the Chelmsford Property market since 2008, owning and running with my excellent colleagues, the Martin and Co office in Chelmsford.
I have always shared my thoughts on the local property market in Chelmsford with my landlords, but now I want to share with everyone in the town.
On this blog, Emma and I will talk about what is happening in the town's property market itself, even looking at specific streets or housing estates. At other times, we will post what we consider decent buy to let deals. Some will be on the market with me (as we also sell property), but others will be on the market with other agents in Chelmsford. We like to look at the whole of market and give you, what we consider the best investment opportunities.
If you see a potential deal, and want a second opinion, without hesitation, email the Rightmove link to stephen.frost@martinco.com . we will always give you our honest opinion on the property and its investment potential. (both good and bad) .